A Nobel Prize for the MILF?

By all indications the Moro Islamic Liberation Front is back in the mood of talking peace. In an unprecedented development it hosted right in the heart of its military and political camp United States Ambassador Kristie Kenny. But what can be considered in the realm of imponderables is the endorsement of the MILF for the holding of Balikatan exercises in the heartland of Moro rebels.

This definitely adds to the comfort of the stakeholders in the conflict areas of Mindanao. Any which way you look at this gesture the MILF is proving that it is definitely not in the mold and coddler of terrorist organizations which some quarters suspect it to be. Imagine American soldiers along with Filipino combatants doing training in MILF territories. This definitely is one for the Ripley’s. It is a well known fact that where Balikatan is held the communities benefit from it for apart from military exercises a lot of time is dedicated to construction of roads, bridges and schools along with medical missions.

This is a feather in the hat for MILF Chairman Ibrahim Murad and of Ambassador Kenny. We want to see a scenario where US and Filipino soldiers sweat it out with an MILF combatants building schools and bridges while their firearms are together hanging from trees. This, with Kenny, Murad and OPAPP Secretary Jesus G. Dureza are acting together as foremen to the soldiers and combatants.

If this spectacle is possible, they will not only be building roads, bridges and schools and attending to the sick, they too are on the way to setting up the solid foundation of peace and solidarity. In the end they will not only win peace the world might just as well earn a Nobel Prize. – ED PALMA, Kidapawan City edpalma1960@yahoo.com